General Information and response from Dr Betz of The Betz Institute, based in Neunkirchen, Germany. Contact them for specific information and latest updates.
Note: Previous Discussion Thread Linked Here
http://www.limblengtheningforum.com/index.php?topic=132.0Process:Our patients can gain up to 4-5 inches (10-12 cm) in one operation on upper legs (femurs) or lower legs (tibias). Patients may also gain a total of 8-9 inches (20-22 cm) in 2 operations.
1st operation on femur for 4-5 inches (10-12 cm)
2nd operation on tibias for 4 inches (10 cm). The amount of gain in tibias may vary from patient to patient. In many cases it is advised by Prof. Dr. Betz to lengthen up to 6-8 cm in tibias.
Patients gain an average of 7-10 cm in one bone region at the Betz institute.
The rate of lengthening is 1 millimetre per day. Every 10 days is 1 cm. Patients can gain up to 10 cm (4 inches) in 3 months.
Surgical TechniquesWe offer different methods for limb lengthening depending on the individual belongings of the patients. For cosmetic limb lengthening we normally use our own nail "Betzbone" which is working similar to the Guichet nail. We just changed it in a few points: different interlocking, more stability and corrosion free. Also in special cases we are using external fixator. We don't use ISKD anymore because it is very unsafe and not to control.
Precice doesn't offer enough stability to walk without crutches when you do both legs at the same time. Fitbone was our own invention but it also doesn't offer enough stability and also not enough lengthening capacity. Meanwhile "Betzbone" is the best nail on the market with the highest stability and easy to control. It is certified and very safe.
Prof. Dr. Betz is the most experienced limb lengthening surgeon in the world with internal devices. Cosmetic limb lengthening is a routine procedure for Prof. Dr. Betz in which he has performed over 800 procedures approx. 8-10 procedures per month. Every operation has a risk. But this surgery is a used operation for us. We provide limb lengthenings since about 20 years. Complications are seldom and we never had a big complication like infection or loss or malfunction of a limb etc.
Physiotherapy has to be done daily during lengthening period and it is also helpful to do it in advance before starting the surgery. We have a paper with all necessary and helpful exercises to keep your joints flexible.
We encourage all potential patients to come for a consultation and visit our facility (hospital, residential centre, rehabilitation centre), see the accommodations, and meet current patients during different stages of lengthening so that they can see the results for themselves. When patients come for their consultations they have the option of having their picture taken for the purpose of manipulating it for patients to see what they would look like with different gains.
CostThe whole procedure of both femurs costs approx. 49.100 Euros and covers the entire operation, implants, hospital stay up to 14 days, physical therapy during the hospital stay, and Prof. Dr. Betz post-operative visits. The cost to lengthen both tibias (lower legs) is approx. 52.700 Euros.
Please let us know if you have any further questions or would like to schedule a consultation with Prof. Dr. Betz.
ContactBETZINSTITUTE
Medi-Tech GmbH
Hermeskeiler Str. 11
66687 Wadern-Wadrill
Tel. +49 6871 921870
Fax +49 6871 921907
Mobil: +49 151 174 279 60
www.betzinstitute.com